Chapter 267 - HEAVENLEIGH (2/2)

”That's the best one in their kind, dear, five Galleons and two Sickles,” said the witch on the counter.

”Oh!” Ginny flushed. ”Alright. I think I will take that owl.” She pointed at a barn owl.

”That will be one Galleon.”

”What's so special about that cat? If you don't mind me asking,” Chris asked the witch.

”She is a half-Kneazle, a very special kind of Kneazle,” said the witch. ”Very rare nowadays.”

”Oh,” Chris nodded in understanding. ”She isn't the first half-kneazle in your shop, is she?”

”Of course not,” replied the witch shaking her head. ”There were plenty. The problem was, sometimes it gets very difficult to differentiate normal cats and half-kneazles. Anyway, which one did you say you want dear?”

”Take the cat, if you really want,” Chris whispered to Ginny as she pointed at the barn owl.

”No, it's fine,” said Ginny quickly. ”I like the owl.”

”She is nice looking,” said Chris looking at the white cat. ”I will cover the rest of her price and don't give you a birthday present next month.”

Ginny looked like she was about to protest but then looked back at the snow-white cat, who was purring fondly looking at Chris and Ginny.

”Deal,” Ginny grinned at Chris then turned to the witch who was now bringing the barn owl. ”I will take the cat. Does she have any name or I can give her one?”

After paying for the owl and the cat, they left the shop and made their way to Flourish and Blotts.

”Thanks, Chris,” smiled Ginny, in her arms the white cat purred loudly. ”I always wanted a cat. Especially after playing with Crookshanks. Cats are so fun.”

”They are,” nodded Luna wisely. ”They are very regal creatures. Grubbers doesn't bother cats at all. They are the only creatures who are Grubbers free.”

”Grubbers?” Dennis looked at Colin.

”Something very fascinating,” replied Colin smiling at Chris.

Chris chuckled.

”I will name her Heavenleigh,” said Ginny smiling.

”Everyone all right?” said Mrs Weasley, they were waiting outside the shop with Ron, Harry and Hermione. ”Got your — Ginny! What's that?”

”Mom, she is Heavenleigh,” said Ginny fondly scratching the cat. ”Isn't she lovely?”

”But what about owl — we will talk about this later,” Mrs Weasley sighed. ”Right then, we can pop in at the Apothecary on the way to Fred and George's — stick close, now. . . .”

Chris and the rest brought their new potion equipment there, then with Mrs Weasley checking her watch every minute or so, they headed farther along the street in search of Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes, the joke shop run by Fred and George.

”We really haven't got too long,” Mrs Weasley said. ”So we'll just have a quick look around and then back to the car. We must be close, that's number ninety-two . . . ninety-four . . .”

”Whoa,” said Ron, stopping in his tracks.

Set against the dull, poster-muffled shop fronts around them, Fred and George's windows hit the eye like a firework display. Casual passersby were looking back over their shoulders at the windows, and a few rather stunned-looking people had actually come to a halt, transfixed. The left-hand window was dazzlingly full of an assortment of goods that revolved, popped, flashed, bounced, and shrieked. The right-hand window was covered with a gigantic poster, purple like those of the Ministry, but emblazoned with flashing yellow letters:

WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT YOU-KNOW-WHO?

YOU SHOULD BE WORRYING ABOUT U-NO-POO —

THE CONSTIPATION SENSATION THAT'S GRIPPING THE NATION!

Chris burst out laughing. Soon everyone else joined her except Mrs Weasley, who was gazing, dumbfounded, at the poster. Her lips moved silently, mouthing the name ”U-No-Poo.”

”They'll be murdered in their beds!” she whispered.

”No they won't!” said Ron laughing. ”This is brilliant!”

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To be continued. . .